Cargo theft remains a persistent challenge in the trucking industry, costing billions in lost goods each year. While some criminals focus on high-value shipments, others seize any opportunity to steal. The good news is that truck drivers can take targeted, effective steps to help prevent cargo theft:
Plan your route. Given the nationwide shortage of secure parking and strict hours of service rules limiting drive time, trip planning is essential. Pinpoint safe places to refuel, eat, and stop and identify theft hot spots to avoid. Whenever possible, arrange for pickups and deliveries during daylight hours to maximize visibility. Also, verify operating hours with both shippers and receivers—especially around holidays or long weekends—to avoid being stuck with a load and nowhere to go.
Vary your route and stops, whenever possible, to avoid becoming predictable. Thieves frequently monitor drivers on multiple runs to find out the most opportune time to strike.
Beware of occupied vehicles outside distribution centers, especially those within view of loading docks and exits. Criminals often surveil facilities, follow loaded trailers as they depart, and wait for drivers to stop.
Once the trailer is loaded, secure the doors with high-security compliant barrier seals in combination with a hardened steel, cut-resistant padlock. Lock the cab before departing, and keep windows closed until you are on the open road.
When picking up a loaded, sealed trailer, verify that the seal number on the trailer matches the number on the bill of lading. Recent incidents include criminals breaking into preloaded, pre-sealed trailers at shipping facilities and then resealing the container after stealing some of its contents. The theft is only discovered upon delivery of the load.
Arrive at your pick-up location well-rested, fed, showered, and with a full tank of fuel. Also, make sure you have enough hours of service available to avoid stopping the truck in the so-called “red zone” (the first 200-250 miles of a trip). Criminals are far less likely to follow a load over long distances and may abandon any attempt at cargo theft.
Pay attention to your surroundings and be particularly observant at night. Beware of vehicles following you and of anyone asking questions about your load. Report any unusual or suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.
Keep all trip details confidential. Only discuss cargo and route information with those who need to know. Do not post any load or travel plans on social media.
Watch for possible hijacking ploys. When stopped in traffic, leave enough space ahead so you can easily pull away should trouble arise. If someone wants you to pull over due to a problem with your vehicle or an alleged accident, drive to a police station or high-visibility area before exiting the cab. If you sense danger, press the panic button on your vehicle’s tracking device if you have one.
If you must park a loaded trailer, select secure parking locations. Park in well-lit, heavily trafficked lots, preferably with surveillance cameras and security patrols. Carefully back your trailer up against buildings, fences, or other trailers to make it difficult or impossible for thieves to get inside.
If you must leave the vehicle unattended, do so for as short a time as possible. Close the windows, turn the engine off, and survey outside the truck before exiting. Utilize multiple layers of protection, such as steering column and air cuff locks, engine kill switches, fuel pump cutoff devices, and other anti-theft devices. Lock the cab doors and take the keys with you. Keep your truck within your line of sight, if possible. When you return to your vehicle, stay alert for any suspicious individuals or vehicles. Check trailer doors, seals, and locks for signs of tampering or unauthorized entry. If dropping the trailer is unavoidable, use a kingpin and/or landing gear locks.
Communicate regularly with your company (be sure to abide by federal mobile phone restriction rules). Alert dispatch if your route changes or during extended stops. Carry your cell phone whenever you are away from the load.
Keep information about the identification of the tractor and trailer—license plate numbers, container numbers, descriptions—on you at all times. Law enforcement will need this information in the event of an incident.
Do not leave trailers unattended over weekends or holiday breaks. While cargo theft is a constant risk, incidents tend to rise over weekends and holidays because criminals are aware that loaded trailers are more likely to be left unattended for extended periods. Thieves also see weekends and holiday breaks as an opportunity to take advantage of unguarded tarps, chains, binders, and straps, so remain vigilant and lock your equipment up.
If you are insured with Lancer and experience cargo theft, contact local law enforcement immediately, and then report the loss to Lancer at 800-432-6608 (24/7/365).
Staying alert, planning ahead, and following best practices can significantly reduce a truck driver's risk of becoming a target. While cargo theft continues to evolve, so do the strategies to combat it. By remaining proactive and security-minded, drivers can help prevent cargo theft and protect both their freight and their livelihood.
